Investing In Sales Training

It's useful to assess career goals and reasons for seeking additional training before investing in sales training courses. From university classes to private sales seminars there are several options available for those looking to develop better skills in subjects such as: leadership, entrepreneurship, sales strategy, and communications.

What's the best way to sharpen your sales skills? Glossy ads and gushing testimonials for sales training programs make big promises, but are they really worth it?

Hopefully, your employer provides ample training opportunities and invests in your professional development. But what if you're interested in sales training and it's not in the budget? With price tags starting at well over $1,000 for many seminars, plus potential travel costs, it's important to evaluate courses carefully before you make a personal investment.

First, think about where you are in your career. What's your reason for registering for training? Spending your own hard-earned money on sales training could make sense if you want to change careers, build a specific skill set or try out a new sales approach. If you're new to sales, a basic course could help you lay a solid foundation for future success.

On the other hand, if you have been in your sales career for a few years, quotas are looming and your motivation is waning, a costly training course may not be worth the expense. Remember, no amount of training or inspirational speaking will guarantee a jump in sales.

Which Courses Could Work For You?

Universities cater more and more to busy executives. Look for short certificate courses taught by instructors with real-world experience. The University of St. Thomas Center for Business Excellence (www.stthomas.edu) offers courses in leadership, entrepreneurship, real estate marketing, sales and more.

For local, hands-on sales training, consider the Sandler System offered by licensees Professional Sales Concepts (salespro.sandler.com) and Professional Sales Strategies(mccarty.sandler.com). You can sample the sales strategies at a weekly lunchtime learning series available online.

Training On A Limited Budget

Some consulting firms and inspirational speakers offer free access to Web-based seminars and e-newsletters in exchange for contact information. Options include Huthwaite (www.huthwaite.com) and Sales Performance International (www.spisales.com).

Professional organizations offer workshops and events to members for free or at discounted prices. One local group, The Sales and Marketing Executives of Minnesota (www.smemn.org), offers morning workshops, luncheons, roundtable discussions and more.

Some small business owners may pay lower taxes under the Republican tax overhaul, but accountants and consultants will want to read the fine print carefully — once the details are finally settled. And some owners may want to consider changing their corporate structure if parts of the proposed changes go through.

Some small business owners may pay lower taxes under the Republican tax overhaul, but accountants and consultants will want to read the fine print carefully — once the details are finally settled. And some owners may want to consider changing their corporate structure if parts of the proposed changes go through.